Futures Trading & Prop Firm Blog

Complete 2025 guide to trading ES and NQ futures including current market prices (NQ: 25,649.00), margin requirements ($13,800 for ES, $21,000 for NQ), and professional trading strategies. Learn the differences between ES and NQ, understand Micro E-mini advantages, and discover which contract is right for your trading style.

Detailed comparison of TradingView ($59.95/month) and Quanttower ($70/month, often free through brokers) covering charting capabilities, order execution, mobile accessibility, and community features. Learn which platform suits beginners vs professionals, and discover how to use both together for optimal results.

Comprehensive guide to the most effective trading strategies (trend following, momentum trading, mean reversion, opening range breakout, VWAP strategies) and technical indicators (Moving Averages, RSI, MACD, VWAP, Bollinger Bands). Learn how to combine indicators effectively and avoid common mistakes that destroy trading accounts.

Expert comparison of 9 top prop firms including FTMO (80-90% split), Apex Trader Funding (100% first $25K), TopStep ($49 entry), and more. Real pricing from $49-$377/month, actual profit splits, evaluation requirements, and professional recommendations for futures and forex traders.

Complete guide to instant funding firms including Blueberry Funded, FXIFY ($69 entry), InstantFunding.io (scales to $1.28M), and Funded Trading Plus. Get funded within minutes with no evaluation challenges. Learn real costs, profit splits (80-90%), and which firms are legitimate.

Step-by-step strategies to pass any prop firm challenge. Learn real rules (4-5% daily drawdown, 8-10% total), position sizing (1-2% max risk), and proven techniques from traders with 75% pass rates. Includes common mistakes, timing strategies, and firm-specific tips.

Complete beginner's guide explaining what prop firms are, how they provide trading capital, profit splits (80-100%), evaluation requirements, and legitimacy verification. Includes comparison of prop trading vs personal trading, types of firms (futures, forex, crypto, instant), and real Trustpilot data: FTMO 4.8/5 (16,306 reviews), TopStep 4.6/5 (6,663 reviews), FundedNext $147M distributed.

Discover the cheapest prop firms starting at $15. Maven Trading ($15-22), Goat Funded ($17), AquaFunded ($23), FundedNext ($32), IC Funded ($37), ThinkCapital ($39). Includes refundable fee policies, reset costs ($60-80), trade-offs (tight drawdowns, lower leverage), discount codes (MVN8, PROPFIRMS25), and $100K account pricing comparison.

Complete 7-step selection guide: (1) Verify legitimacy (NFA/FCA registration, Trustpilot 4.0+), (2) Compare evaluation rules (profit targets 5-10%, daily loss 3-5%, drawdown 6-12%), (3) Analyze profit splits (80-90%), (4) Review trading conditions (spreads, commissions, leverage), (5) Assess scaling ($5K to $400K paths), (6) Test support, (7) Match to your trading style (day trading vs swing trading vs scalping).

Comprehensive profit split comparison: Apex (100% first $25K then 90%), TopStep (100% first $10K then 90%), FundedNext (95% for CFDs, 100% futures, 15% during eval), FTMO (80-90% with scaling). Includes real earnings calculations, trading cost impact (spreads vs splits), payout frequency considerations, and choosing the right split for your trading volume.

Complete three-way comparison of the top prop firms: FTMO (4.8/5, 16,306 reviews, up to $2M, multi-asset, 80-90% splits), Apex (100% first $25K then 90%, futures-only, max flexibility, no daily loss limits), TopStep (100% first $10K then 90%, 13-year reputation, $200M paid, daily payouts). Includes head-to-head matchups, pricing analysis (one-time vs recurring), evaluation difficulty, and which firm suits your trading style.

Complete guide to prop firm payout processing: FundedNext (24h), My Funded Futures (instant), TopStep (1-2 days), FTMO (1-3 days). Payment methods comparison (crypto fastest 0-24h, PayPal 1-3d, wire 2-5d), payout frequencies (daily, on-demand, bi-weekly), KYC requirements (24-72h), minimum payouts ($0-$100), common delays and solutions, 5-step withdrawal process walkthrough.

Complete recovery guide for traders who failed evaluations: 7-step process (analyze performance, identify mistakes, decide reset vs retry, improve strategy, take break, practice demo, retry with discipline). Includes common failure causes (overleveraging, revenge trading, ignoring daily limits), reset cost comparison ($60-80), alternative firm suggestions, success stories, and when to buy new vs reset.

Complete guide to prop firms allowing scalping: Apex (no daily loss limits, $3.98 ES commission), My Funded Futures (EOD drawdown $1,250-5K), TopStep (13-year reputation), BluSky (low fees), FundingTicks (fast payouts). Includes commission comparison, EOD vs real-time drawdown explanation, platform recommendations (Rithmic, Tradovate), and scalping evaluation strategies.

Complete guide to prop firm consistency rules (30% maximum single-day profit) and minimum trading days (FTMO 4-10 days, TopStep 5-2 days, Apex 7 days). Includes pass/fail examples with calculations, 4 proven passing strategies (balanced distribution, safety buffer, overcollection, position sizing), common mistakes, tracking spreadsheets, and which firms don't enforce these rules.

Complete guide to scaling prop firm accounts: FTMO (up to $2M, 10% profit + 3 payouts per milestone, 18-24 months to $200K), TopStep (contract scaling 2→5, max $150K), Apex ($300K max), FundedNext ($300K+), Earn2Trade ($400K). Includes account vs contract scaling differences, realistic timelines, 5 proven strategies to scale faster, multiple-firm approach, common mistakes, and profit potential at each level.

Discover how TJR (@tjr on Instagram, @_tjrtrades on Twitter) built a 7-figure trading career while co-founding KillTec streetwear brand. From college dropout to Times Square billboards, TJR's journey combines futures trading success with fashion entrepreneurship and social media influence. Learn his trading philosophy, business ventures, and lessons from building multiple income streams.

Explore the trading strategies of Fabio Valentini, co-founder of DeepCharts and 3-time Robbins World Cup champion. With cumulative returns exceeding 500% across 4 competitions and an average of 600+ trades per quarter, Fabio has proven himself as the world's premier scalper. Learn his Market Auction Theory approach, order flow analysis, and how he built DeepCharts alongside Andrea Cimi.

Meet Andrea Cimi, co-founder of DeepCharts and Morpheus Education with 250,000+ YouTube subscribers. Based in UAE, this Italian trader educates in English, Spanish, and Italian on order flow analysis, price action, intermarket flows, options, and macroeconomics. Discover how he built two successful trading education companies and became one of the most influential multilingual trading educators.

Discover Anyro (@anryxo), founder of FuturesHive and multidisciplinary entrepreneur with 5 businesses: FuturesHive (futures trading), Sirency (OnlyFans management), Seology.ai (AI e-commerce), iimagined.ai (digital education), and 1abel (minimalist clothing). Learn his polymath approach integrating trading, business, psychology, and technology with a 4,000+ member Telegram community.

Meet Craig Percoco, 6-year military veteran (Army Reserve Power Generation Engineer, Space Force Security Forces) turned trading educator. Founder of Inevitrade with 200,000+ YouTube subscribers, 5,000+ students, and 1,000+ Discord members. Learn his military-disciplined approach to trading psychology, advanced Fibonacci applications, and multi-asset class strategies across crypto, futures, and stocks.

Discover PB Blake (@pbblakeofficial), co-founder of PB Trading with Patrick. Leading 1,600+ traders through daily live NQ futures sessions (Mon-Fri 9:30am EST), 300+ hours of education, and viral comedy content making trading accessible. Learn how Blake blends entertainment with serious education, building one of the most engaging trading communities through TikTok skits and transparent live trading.

Complete 2025 guide to Micro E-mini futures (MES, MNQ, M2K, MYM). Learn margin requirements ($50-$300 vs $13,800-$21,000 for standard), tick values ($1.25-$5), contract specifications, and proven strategies. Perfect for beginners or traders wanting to scale positions with precise risk control. Includes comparison tables, real trade examples, and platform recommendations.

Complete guide to order flow trading on ES/NQ futures. Learn DOM (Depth of Market) reading, footprint chart analysis, volume delta interpretation, absorption detection, and iceberg order identification. Includes platform comparison (Quanttower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Jigsaw), 3 proven strategies with real trade examples, and how to combine order flow with price action for 75%+ win rates.

Complete guide to trading psychology covering fear, greed, FOMO, and revenge trading. Learn the 7-step mental discipline framework, circuit breaker systems for emotional control, pre-market routines, journaling techniques, and meditation practices. Includes real trader examples, psychological triggers to avoid, and how to build unshakeable trading discipline for consistent profitability.

Complete Fibonacci retracement guide for ES/NQ futures trading. Learn how to draw Fibonacci correctly, identify high-probability retracement zones (38.2%, 50%, 61.8%, 78.6%), combine with volume profile and support/resistance, and use Fibonacci extensions (127.2%, 161.8%, 261.8%) for profit targets. Includes real trade examples with risk management and confluence strategies.

Complete volume profile guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn POC (Point of Control), VAH (Value Area High), VAL (Value Area Low) trading strategies. Understand profile types (normal, P-shaped, b-shaped, double distribution), RTH vs Globex sessions, and how to combine volume profile with VWAP, order flow, and price action. Includes 4 advanced strategies with real examples and precise entry/exit rules.

Complete comparison of 9 top futures brokers for day traders. Interactive Brokers ($0.25/contract), NinjaTrader ($0.53), TD Ameritrade ($2.25), Tradovate ($0.85), TradeStation ($1.50), AMP Futures ($1.29), Charles Schwab ($1.50), EdgeClear ($0.79), Ironbeam ($0.99). Includes platform compatibility (NinjaTrader, TradingView, Sierra Chart), hidden fees, margin requirements, and broker vs prop firm comparison.

Complete RSI divergence guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn regular divergence (reversal signals) vs hidden divergence (continuation signals), how to draw divergence correctly, confirmation techniques, and optimal RSI settings (RSI 14 on 5-min charts). Includes advanced strategies combining divergence with volume profile, VWAP, Fibonacci, and order flow for 75-80%+ win rates. Real trade examples with precise risk management.

Complete footprint charts guide for ES/NQ futures. Master the 4 core patterns: bid/ask imbalances (3:1+ ratios), stacked imbalances (75-80% win rates), absorption (institutional defense), and delta divergence. Includes platform comparison (Quanttower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Jigsaw), detailed setup instructions, advanced strategies combining footprint with volume profile and VWAP, and NQ-specific adaptations for fast markets.

Complete MACD guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn Gerald Appel's 1979 momentum indicator: MACD line (12-26 EMA), signal line (9 EMA), histogram analysis. Master 4 core strategies—crossovers with zero line filter (75% win rates), divergence (price vs MACD reversals), histogram hooks (early entries), and zero line bounces (trend continuation). Includes optimal settings for day trading vs scalping, advanced confluence with volume profile and VWAP, NQ-specific adaptations, and real trade examples with precise risk management.

Complete support and resistance guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn horizontal S/R (previous day high/low, round numbers, swing points, volume profile levels), dynamic S/R (21-EMA, 50-EMA, 200-EMA, VWAP, trendlines), and S/R zones vs exact levels (ES: 5-15 point zones, NQ: 15-40 point zones). Master role reversal patterns with 75-80% win rates, advanced confluence strategies (S/R + Volume Profile + VWAP + Fibonacci = 85-90% win rates), and precise entry/exit techniques with real trade examples.

Complete VWAP guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn institutional order flow tracking with 4 core strategies: VWAP bounce (70-75% win rates), VWAP cross (65-75%), breakout/breakdown (70-80%), and mean reversion from standard deviation bands (75-80%). Master RTH vs full session VWAP, combine VWAP with volume profile and order flow for 80-85% win rates, and understand why institutions use VWAP as their primary execution benchmark. Includes real trade examples with precise entry/exit signals.

Complete moving average guide for ES/NQ futures. Master SMA vs EMA vs WMA differences, learn the most important MA periods (9-EMA for scalping, 21-EMA for day trading, 50-EMA for swings, 200-EMA for long-term). Discover 4 core strategies: MA bounce (70-75% win rates), MA crossover including 9/21-EMA (65-75%), Golden/Death Cross (65-70%), and EMA ribbon (75-80%). Advanced confluence: MA + VWAP (80-85% win rates), MA + Volume Profile. Includes 3-MA system for day trading, real ES/NQ trade examples, and common mistakes to avoid.

Complete candlestick patterns guide for ES/NQ futures. Learn history of Japanese candlesticks (Munehisa Homma, 1700s rice trading), master anatomy of candlesticks, and discover proven patterns: Single candle (hammer 70-75%, shooting star 70-75%, doji, spinning top, marubozu), double candle (bullish/bearish engulfing 75-80%, piercing/dark cloud, harami), and triple candle (morning/evening star 75-80%, three white soldiers/black crows). Combine candlestick patterns with VWAP, volume profile, S/R for 80-85% win rates. Includes real ES trade example, confluence triple check system, and common mistakes to avoid.

Complete beginner's guide to starting futures trading. Learn what futures contracts are (ES: $58,000 value, NQ: $41,700 value per point), current 2025 margin requirements (MES: $1,166, MNQ: $1,738, ES: $11,660, NQ: $17,380), best contracts for beginners (start MES/MNQ), broker comparison (Interactive Brokers $0.25-$0.85, NinjaTrader $0.09-$0.35, Tradovate $0.79), step-by-step account opening, realistic trading timeline (months 1-3 learning, 4-6 strategy, 7-12 live small), capital requirements by style ($2,000-$5,000 minimum recommended), and 8 fatal beginner mistakes to avoid. Includes platform setup, first trade walkthrough, and risk management for new traders.